Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Paramedics make house calls to ease pressure on GPS
Successful pilot scheme is extended
Paramedics are relieving the growing strain on GPS in Canterbury by visiting patients in their own homes.
The scheme has been launched in the city to ease pressure on local surgeries and avoid people being needlessly sent to hospital.
Paramedics are already undertaking more than 100 home visits a week, treating minor ailments.
GPS themselves determine which patients are suitable for a paramedic visit, allowing them to receive a quicker response and GPS to focus on seeing other patients in their surgeries.
Dr Jacky Buchanan, from Whitstable Medical Practice, said: “The paramedics are able to quickly assess and treat patients who have more straightforward conditions, such as those who have had a minor fall or chest infection.
“This means that GPS can become more proactive by visiting patients with long-term conditions and making sure they have what they need.
“The scheme will change the way a GP service works, to more proactive. Hopefully by doing this we can try and prevent problems from becoming a serious issue or a crisis, avoid the patient having to go to hospital and give patients better overall care without unnecessary stress or discomfort.”
The paramedic community scheme was developed last year by the ambulance service and Encompass, a group of 16 local medical practices.
It was launched in Whitstable but has now been extended across Canterbury, Faversham, Sandwich and Ash.
Encompass chairman Dr John Ribchester said: “The figures have been impressive and we expect it will prove very successful. Since the programme was rolled out, the community paramedics have been seeing between 100 and 130 patients per week.
“Patient and staff feedback has been incredibly positive and early indications show a reduction in the number of patients being taken to hospital.”
Visit www.encompass-mcp. co.uk